Folland, (TR: officially named the Democratic Republic of Folland, or the Follandan Republic, is a Democratic Constitutional Republic with 10 mainland Provinces and 2 island provinces. Folland is mostly situated in the western areas of Euphemia and has coastline with the Rites Sea. Folland is bordered by Kuyrut and Mitron to the Northwest, Shayden to the North, Ivouixkaw to the Northeast, Fraesia to the East, and Esdikkom to the Southeast. Today, Trentannian has edged Mervegian out as the most widely spoken language, although children are still taught Mervegian as a second language in some ethnic regions. Although being behind some stronger economies in Euphemia, Folland still holds one of the stronger economies on Adonia with a GDP of F1.95 trillion.

Indigenous peoples descended from forebears who migrated from Eastern Althenia have inhabited what is now the mainland Folland for many thousands of years. These peoples settled numerous villages along the coasts of the Rites Sea and scattered settlements throughout the great plains. In the beginning and middle of the 17th century, disease and illness spread through the natives as Western Althenian explorers and settlers landed on the western coasts, then later by land over the great plains from the east. Mervey had sent an expedition to the 'new world' in Euphemia and found expansive forests on the land west of the Lovise Mountains, immediately creating a lucrative logging industry, including farming and mineral mining that followed. Over time and several "Colonial Wars" on the continent, Trentannia acquired the colony from Mervey through force, and then lost control of it to the Colonists during it's war with the revolutionaries to the north. Today, Folland is now a relatively self sustaining economic power with moderately strong international ties throughout Adonia.

Etymology

The name Folland first appeared in sources in 1622 for the region around Marston, and by 1664 was being used as the name of the entire region with Mervegian settlers. By this time, the inhabitants of Folland were referring to themselves as "Follanders". Folland is derived from the Mervegian term folkland ("people's country"). This spelling variation remained in use until around the 18th century, at which time the name stabilized as Folland (alternative spellings at the time were Falkland and Follandt). A popular misconception etymology in Fraesia holds that Folland is derived from fol land ("crazy land") and was inspired by how the Etruscan settlers called the inhabitants of the West as "fols", Etruscan for "crazy".

History

Pre-Colonized Folland

While few documents prove their presence, archaeological excavations trace the presence of indigenous peoples in Folland, more than 18,000 years ago in the South and 9,500 years in northeastern Folland. Both Natives and Eskimos lived mainly on hunting, fishing and trapping. Each people was organized in specific regions and had its own cultural characteristics, all related to nature. Animism, however, was the main religion of all indigenous peoples.

Colonization

Sinopian explorer Yiorgos Sanna and his daughter Melina had landed in Potamia (Sinopian for "wetlands", located in modern-day West Territories) in 1492 on behalf of King Edward II of Trentannia. The Insulonian explorer Juan Fernandes Rites traveled along the coast of the Rites Sea (named in his honor) and started to map the area in 1500 for the company of the explorer Pêro Barcelos, but without taking possession of the land for Insulo. In search of the Northwest Passage to Eastern Althena, the Etruscan explorer Gaspar Corte meanwhile visited the island of Tephan in 1501, but returned to Etrusque after capturing aboriginal slaves. At the Trents' arrival, they were surprised to find Natives speaking Mervegian. They found a wide range of Mervegian settlers and villages in Okanamapil, Gilbertson, Unoguut and especially Kristin. The Trents established their first settlement in the territory of Folland on the grounds of modern-day Hinali, which was occupied by a local tribe called Inali, hence the city's name. Signing a treaty of exchanges and peace with the Inali tribe, the Trents managed to settle and build a permanent commercial fort. Living conditions are rough and winters are cold, blocking the arrival of settlers from Western Althena, forcing the Trents to prioritize settlement in Shayden for agriculture purposes.

In 1602, King Henry II appoints Lord Charles Ramsay "Governor of the West Territories", and gives him the monopoly of the fur trade to offset the costs of establishing a colony there. In 1603, he organized an expedition Ramsay conducted in person in southwestern Folland, where he is accompanied by Lesley Queshire, who participates as a geographer and cartographer, and Qillaq Toov, a Metis from a Mervegian father. Lord Ramsay settled in 1603, the first official colony in Southwestern Euphemia, in Carksson, in the bottom of the Trent Bay. These explorers met a great resistance from Native tribes when they wanted to go further north through modern-day Mitron. Throughout his journey in the West Territories, Lord Ramsay established especially with the Eskimos, Ivouix and Inali, excellent diplomatic and trade relations.

However, Western Althenan settlers brought many diseases, by trade routes, spreading rapidly among indigenous populations, wreaking havoc among them. Trent settlers, often arriving very sick in boats that were not very safe, were rescued by Native remedies. With settlement came economic activity, but the colonies of the West remained economically dependent on the fur trade and politically and militarily dependent on their mother countries. Inevitably, Euphemia became the focal point for the bitter rivalry between Trentannia and other Western Althenan kingdoms, especially Insulo and Etrusque. In 1675, the colony counted 44,000 inhabitants, according to the first official census. Slaves were not counted.

Follandian furs provided revenue for the Trentannian Crown and fueled a complex trade network that extended as far as Western Althena and Peilan. However, by the 18th century, declining fur production and economic diversification greatly diminished royal income. In response, the Crown enacted the Stuart Reforms, a series of edicts that increased taxes and partitioned the colony. The new laws provoked Clas Fleming's rebellion and other revolts, which led to the Follandian Independence War in 1768.

Independence

A movement initiated by Clas Fleming, who opposed Stretton centralism and led the opposition against the colonial regime, led to the independence of Folland in February 1728, and the formation of two independent governments which fought a civil war – a period known as The Stolen Rule. The following year Fleming proclaimed the United Provinces of Folland, headed by Peter Minuit. Despite the successes of the rebellion, the emergence of two distinct ideological currents among the liberators (federalism and centralism) gave rise to an internal clash which contributed to the reconquest of territory by the Trents. The colonial rule was restored under the command of Sir William Riley, whose regime punished those who participated in the uprisings. The retribution stoked renewed rebellion, which, combined with a weakened Trentannia, who was fighting other wars at the time, in Althena mostly, ended the Independence War. The pro-Trent resistance was finally defeated in 1771 in the present province of Oddmund and in 1772 in Lovise. As a young republic, Folland was engulfed in the Lovise War with Trentannia over a territorial dispute in modern-day Mitron.

19th century

With small rebellions in other Trentannian colonies in Euphemia, prompted by the independence of Folland, Trentannia found Folland a mere loss compared to holding colonies like Acadia, Shayden and Mitron. These colonies gave Stretton agricultural products and better profits than the declining market of furs in Folland. Shipbuilding and wood production was the main source of economic revenues for Folland when entering the 19th century. While being an isolationist country, Folland slowly developped its infrastructure with railroads constructed linking Folland to Fraesia, Shayden and Mitron. Many Peilanese workers were hired to build these railroads, especially the links with Mitron, considering it had to pass the Lovise mountains. These Peilanese settlers were temporary workers but established themselves mostly in Hinali, creating one of Euphemia's largest Peilantown. Economic difficulties and war in Western Althena caused massive immigration to Euphemia. Folland was the destination of a wide range of Southwestern Althenans, fleeing the Relastovan Empire regime.

Follandan Gold Rush

The gold rush in Folland is a period of approximately eighteen years (1844 - 1862) which began in May 1844 following the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, a sawmill owned by Relastovan explorer Johann August Sutter near Ashton City, west of Grayson, in the current province of West Territories. The news spread quickly and pulled in Folland over 400,000 adventurers and immigrants from the rest of Euphemia and mainly from Western Althena. Folland's population has increased fivefold during this period passing from around 100,000 heads to around 500,000 inhabitants.

These pioneers arrived by boat or by road on freight wagons, across the continent, the price of a travel often very high and the conditions difficult. Although most of these newcomers were from Acadia and Shayden, the Gold Rush also attracted tens of thousands of immigrants from Itzamna, Western Althena, Carreon and Eastern Althena. These gold diggers began by settling along rivers and used for their research artisanal gold mining techniques. Then more sophisticated gold mining methods were developed and were subsequently adopted Adonia-wide. It is estimated that the value of the quantities of gold found during this period amounted to several billion dollars today. But while some made ​​fortunes, others returned home with little more than they had initially. Many decided to settle in the wide open areas of Folland, in the inner lands in the North.

The gold rush deeply transformed Folland. Composed before of small hamlet consisting of tents, Carksson developed under the pressure of population growth; roads, churches, schools and other buildings were constructed. New methods of transportation developed. Steamboat, which becomes a regular means of transport, and mostly railways. Agriculture, future major pan of Folland's economy began to expand throughout the country, especially in the Northeast. However, the gold rush was not as positive: many Natives were attacked and driven away from their land, racial and ethnic tensions were formed, and the extraction of gold led to many environmental problems.

Late 19th century

During the pre-war period, Folland profited from the prosperous world economy and established itself as an industrial as well as an agricultural power. Lumber activity was still a major industry, along with steel production. Folland's military industry grew drastically during the Dacian Incident. Folland was major shipbuilding contractor for Acadia against Etrusque during the Fraesian War of Independence. Despite the slow rate of industrialization into the 19th century, many important changes were taking place in the agrarian economy because of innovations and the large population growth. These innovations included government-sponsored programs of enclosure, aggressive exploitation of agricultural lands, and the introduction of new crops such as the potato. Because the Follandian peasantry had never been enserfed as elsewhere in colonial Euphemia or Western Althena, the Follandian farming culture began to take on a critical role in Follandian politics, which has continued through modern times with modern Agrarian party (now called the ??? Party). Between 1870 and 1946, Folland began developing the industrialized economy that exists today.

The Great Adonian War

When word of the war arrived on Follandan shores, the public was quick to hide themselves from it. The country was still relatively new and wanted no part in conflict that could either bring them to glory, or destroy them forever. The decision to remain neutral and stay out of the war was immediate. The War and the devastation it wrought showed the Follandan government that future conflicts could arise, and could very easily reach their lands next time. Claiming Neutrality and hoping to stay out of harms way wasn't going to help in the future. In 1954, two years after the end of the Great War, The Chancellor of Folland, in cooperation with the High Council passed the Home Defense Act, which effectively began to draw up plans for Folland's long term, but steady militarization.

Follandan Involvement

As the war raged on in Althena, Euphemia remained peaceful. Folland and west Euphemia was a world away from the turmoil of war. Many people continued to live their lives as usual, barely recognizing the war as something to panic over, even when daily reports from the field flooded the radio waves across the continent. Even during the ending years of the war when Shayden and Acadia entered the war against the Imperials and Buellen, Folland's involvement was negligible to none. There was no reason to deploy what little armed forces it has and barely had a history of warfare. While Folland's land based Army couldn't, and wouldn't do anything however, Follandan seafaring vessels would play an integral part in the Cilician Theater.

The Celician Theater

Folland's involvement in the Cilician was much more robust compared to it's land based efforts, which barely consisted of any. Having a history of shipbuilding but not retaining a formidable Armed Navy by any means, Folland pledged support to Shayden's more powerful Naval fleets by providing ships for logistical purposes. Many Follandan cargo vessels were repurposed to supply Shayden's fleets with fuel, food, and other supplies during the War against the Sanese. Many historians believe it was the expansionist actions of Okaiken that forced Folland to step out of isolationism just slightly. Without a threat in the Cilician Folland might have remained completely neutral throughout the Great Adonian War, never needing to be prompted to pass the Home Defense Act ultimately leading to a very different future for Folland militarily.

1950's - 1990's

In the years following the Great Adonian War, trade with nations that were damaged by conflict rose to meet increased demands for reconstruction. As a bittersweet side effect to the destruction left by the War, many nation's were left with cities to rebuild, and Folland had all the base materials they needed for houses and infrastructure. Follvirkeland's economy subsequently boomed, and Logging became the country's number one domestic product for decades. However even after years of revenue, the boom didn't last, and when demands for building materials steadily decreased, so did profits, and Folland sunk back into a holding-steady economy.

Induction into the USNW

In March of 2012, Folland Chancellor Michael Moen traveled to Althenian nations on a vacation. Not known to anyone at the time however, Chancellor Moen was visiting with Government officials of nations belonging to the United Sovereign Nations of the World, a union of countries across Adonia joined together economically, culturally, and militarily. Wanting to bring Folland out of it's Isolation, Chancellor Moen discussed the decision with USNW nations, before officially submitting Folland's application on April 02, 2012. Two days later on April 04, Folland was accepted into the Union with unanimous approval, welcomed as a Full Member. Since then, Chancellor Moen has worked hard incorporating Folland as a contributing Nation, setting up Economic ties ranging from Trade to International Flights.

Current Era

Government

Folland's government is a DemocraticConstitutional Republic with the ultimate power resting with the people through elected officials such as the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Republic.

Executive

The top levels of the Executive branch consists of the Prime Minister, and the Secretary of the Republic. The Prime Minister, in conjunction with the High Council, has ultimate power over the country as regulated by the people. The Secretary of the Republic holds power over the Follandan Senate and is able to veto approvals given from the Prime Minister on submitted law proposals. The rest of the Executive branch is made up of the High Council, a parliamentary committee with two elected representatives from each province in Folland. The High Council brings forth and votes on laws pertaining to the Nation only if they have been pre-approved by the Prime Minister and Secretary. Most, if not all of these laws are first submitted by the people initially.

Legislative

The Legislature is a collection of Senators from each Province that form the Senate. The elected Senators cooperate with the High Council with laws pertaining to their home province and their people.

Judiciary

The Judiciary branch is the collection of courts within Folland. The Supreme court resides in the capital city of Hinali and is headed by the Supreme Justice. The Supreme court handles court cases of high importance with steep consequences as well as violations of laws by appointed politicians. The Provincial Court has a jurisdiction of the entire Province. It's located in and is usually found in the Provincial Capital. The Local and Family courts are small local courts usually found in metro areas. These are the lowest tier courts and handle cases ranging from domestic disputes to theft and homicide.

Foreign Policy

Folland was for several centuries an isolationist nation with no interest in meddling with other nation's interests. It wasn't until after the Great Adonian War and the Home Defense Act that Folland began to branch out into the International community beyond simple trade. With no burdens weighing the Government down, Folland holds improved relations with nations who consider Folland a friend. Neighboring Shayden in particular is an Ally. Friends and Allies can be found in all continents of Adonia. From Paradise, and the IFK, to Okaiken, Kaskaskia and Acadia, Folland prides itself in being a friendly addition to the international community. Some nations however don't hold Folland in high esteem. Tensions between Folland and Kuyrut were apparent, though steadily calmed overtime, as well as the recent events in Fraesia, and Carreon have caused Folland to rethink its relationship with Acadia and Aquilonia respectively. However, with the establishment of the Euphemian Bloc, Acadia's and Folland's relations have improved dramatically, ending the dead war. Today though Folland remains withdrawn from the Bloc Nations and current relations with once long time friends are souring.

The Grumboltd Incident

Following Folland's deposing and arrest of former Chancellor Grumboltd, many nations claimed Folland's interim Chancellor as an illegitimate government, some even going as bold as calling it a regime, due to the lack of official elections to replace the Executive seat. Chancellor Grumboltd was replaced with Dehya Moen, former Chancellor Moen's daughter, who took the seat with a majority of public approval, however international governments viewed this as illegal and thus, illegitimate. In March of 2014, Folland made waves in the Political world when the High Council officially abolished the position of Chancellor, and restructured the Executive government to operate around the Prime Minister. That day, Prime Minister Andella Panin in an official ceremony was sworn in as Folland's new Executive.

Fraesian Occupation

Stemming from tensions from the Dead War between Folland and Acadia, previous Chancellor Dehya Moen, along with support of the High Council launched a non-lethal Military invasion of west Fraesia, occupying large swaths of land, including the Fraesian capital, in an effort to confiscate any and all documentation Fraesia may have had on Folland that would pose a threat to Follandan National Security, if it were handed over to the wrong hands. During the Dead War, Fraesia was invaded and occupied by Acadienne forces in a war between the two. After the cease of hostilities, Acadia placed a pro Acadienne government in Fraesia that shared a distrust of Folland with Acadia. Even though in the years following the war when Acadia's administration changed and became more supportive of an alliance between Folland and Acadia, Fraesia is still suspected of harboring a grudge, and was accused of gathering sensitive material on Folland to be used against Hinali. Acadia denied any kind of espionage and severely denounced Folland's occupation. The occupation also had global repercussions, with overseas governments calling Folland a "Rogue State". The Occupation lasted just two days before forces were pulled out of the country, the Occupation obviously being a failure.

Folland Without a Chancellor

Chancellor Dehya Moen took office in a somewhat Military coup d'etat, when Chancellor Grumboltd was arrested by Folland's National Guard on the charges of Crimes against Humanity. The change in power was seen as a positive by the majority of Folland's populace, mostly from the face Dehya Moen was previous Chancellor Michael Moen's daughter. However well favored Dehya Moen was by her country, her sudden rise to power was denounced by the world by being illegitimate since no elections were held. Hinali's public image was further tarnished when Folland's military occupation of western Fraesia further burrowed resentment by international powers, causing Acadia and others to impose economic sanctions as a consequence of "invading" a neutral nation. Because of the failure in Fraesia, and the growing international opposition to Hinali's actions, Folland withdrew from the Euphemian Bloc nations, and Chancellor Dehya Moen resigned her position, and accepted her invitation to the High Council instead. For several months Folland remained without a Chancellor as the High Council and Prime Minister Panin debated on what to do. It wasn't until the beginning of 2014 when the High Council eventually just abolished the position of Chancellor, and gave the Executive position to Prime Minister Panin.

Alliances

Euphemian Bloc

SCMAT

Infrastructure

Road

Rail

Sea

Air

Economy

Energy

Imports

Exports

Natural Resources

Military

Follandan Type-7 Monnard MBT's

Officially established in 1792, sixty four years after Folland's declaration of independence, it was merely a formality placed upon a loose gathering of militia. Folland's earliest years with an organized military was barely paid much attention as a need for a fighting force just wasn't there. More importance was focused on building the country's infrastructure and economy. Over the decades, the Military slowly grew into what historians call a very "Organized, well equipped Militia" that barely changed or operated until the late years of the first Great Adonian War where Folland's hand was forced to involve itself on the side of it's neighbor, Shayden. After the War, the importance of a strong standing Military rose sharply, and today the Follandan Armed Forces stand as a gleaming example of a modernized, powerful fighting force technologically.

Operation Desert Mace

Operation Desert Mace, or more commonly known as the Invasion of Malo was the Follandan Armed Forces first major military engagement in decades since the Great Adonian War. Operation Desert Mace was a major armed combat operation undertaken by the Follandan Army and Navy at the request of the Kingdom of Malo to eradicate hostile, radical militants fighting Malo (and other nations) for the recognition of the sovereignty of neighboring country of Forgia and Zebtesia which held long lasting and deep grudged against the Malo Kingdom. However Folland's involvement stems mainly from an earlier attempt by the Militant group to steal raw nuclear materials from a Follandan nuclear energy testing facility. Criminal Investigation Division agents intercepted the stolen materials before they could be smuggled out of the country, but were detonated as a Dirty Bomb in one of Folland's southeastern Port cities, destroying the docks and irradiating several square miles of inhabited land. The perpetrators were traced back to the Malo militants and the later invasion as retaliation. The operation lasted over one year before Folland officially stated it as Mission Accomplished and no longer had the need for troops to remain in Malo, however fears remain that pockets of militant remnants still exist and could reemerge with the absence of Follandan troops.

Invasion of Faller Province

During the Chancellery of Chancellor Grumboltd, the Follandan Army was deployed for the first time in history on Follandan soil against Anti-Government riots that turned violent and borderline militant in the eastern province of Faller. The Army which was believed to be directly influenced by Chancellor Grumboltd personally first used non lethal methods of incapacitating the populace, but was forced to use lethal force when citizens resisted. Several shootings by troops on citizens were mainly caused by confusion and panic. The deployment was globally denounced by the international community as well as within Folland itself. Riots against the Chancellor broke out in Folland's more dense west coast and Divisions in the National Guard itself resented the government's actions, eventually leading to a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard storming the Chancellery building with his troops and arresting the Chancellor on charges of Crimes against Humanity. When the Interim Chancellor took office the Army was ordered to stand down and leave Faller Province and every soldier involved in the use of force against civilians was honorably discharged. Soldiers who fired upon citizens during moments of panic were dishonorably discharged.

Occupation of Fraesia

For just two days on October 8th and 9th in 2013 four Airborne Divisions were deployed into west Fraesia in what was called an "Intrusion", but later an Occupation in an attempt to forcibly coerce the Fraesian Government to reveal any and all sensitive information it had on the Follandan nation which could be damaging to Folland's National Security. The accusation was based off of Fraesia's involvement in the Dead War and it's Pro Acadian government that was established at the end of it, which held a deep disliking of Folland. The occupation consisted of several Infantry Divisions and Air Force units which established a No Fly Zone over Fraesia. However after two days Folland recalled all of it's forces, deeming the Occupation an obvious failure. Three planes were shot down and one Fraesian Air Force pilot was Killed in Action in a short skirmish.

Follandan Type 7A3 variant main battle tank, featuring the new High Velocity gun.

Folland Ground Forces

With the Home Defense Act of 1954, Folland steadily began to build up a standing Army over the course of several decades for the purpose of National defense, and in some rare cases International peacekeeping. However this build up in no way matched the militarization of some countries during the Great War. In a sense, Folland's Ground Forces could be called a large, well equipped and organized Militia Force. That nickname however is overshadowed by the complexity of Folland's Armed Force's training. Focusing more on a smaller but much more effective Army, Folland has never had more than 700,000 active duty personnel in it's entire history as a nation. The Follandan Army is mobilized by a largely Light Armored Vehicle force, however in recent years Syndicated Defense Industries developed a modern day Main Battle Tank that has received major praise from the Cabinet of the Armed Forces, and has been in restricted mass production since the beginning of 2013. When Chancellor Moen addressed the Cabinet of the Armed Forces in a 2009 hearing over the Military's future activities, he stated, "Better to deliver a strike and retreat to live another day, than get bogged down in firefights of attrition."

Folland Air Force

The Follandan Air Force, contrary to what it's name suggests, doesn't consist mainly of Fixed-Wing Aircraft, but more-so Rotor-Wing Aircraft, or Helicopters. With the invention of the Helicopter, The Follandan Cabinet of the Armed Forces saw the immense potential in Rotor-Wing Aircraft and their capabilities in not only Combat roles, but other, non-military roles. With great maneuverability along with cheaper maintenance costs compared to Jet Aircraft, the Military Industry focused on Helicopter Manufacturing. Today, for every Folland Jet Fighter, there's 3 Helicopter Gunships parked behind it.

Phoenix taking off from the F.N.S. Cathleen.

Folland Navy

Unofficially existing in the early decades of the Follandan Colony as nothing more than armed merchant vessels, the Follandan Navy was officially created in 1892 as an organized force following the Dacian Incident in August of 1891. Before and during the events of the Dacian Incident Folland's armed presence on the open seas were little more than armed merchant ships and patrol boats. Following the Dacian Incident Folland recognized a need to more effectively protect its assets and interests on the oceans, which required a purpose built, capable Navy of armed warships. In the Spring of 1897, Folland launched it's first warship, the Follandan Naval Ship Protector. The Protector was the very first ship to be designated as a Cruiser and complimented it's standard wood hull with Steel plating. Today Folland operates fifty two active duty combat vessels with numerous others in support roles. The flagships of the Follandan Navy consist of three Super Aircraft Carriers, the FNS Brest, the FNS Valour, and the FNS Cathleen, with two more Helicopter Carriers, the FNS Icarus, and the FNS Next Horizon as escort vessels. Folland's surface fleets are supplemented by seven City Class Submarines, headed by the flagship FNS Carksson.